Perhaps this is the reason that Parliament agreed to an election in December, two months before the newly extended Brexit deadline?Violence against MPs is a 'price worth paying' to get the Brexit result they want, say a majority of both Leavers and Remainers in a 'genuinely shocking' survey.The study, based on polling by YouGov, found 71% of Leavers in England, 60% in Scotland and 70% in Wales believed violence towards MPs was a 'price worth paying' for Brexit.Among Remainers, 58% in England, 53% in Scotland and 56% in Wales considered violence towards MPs was a 'price worth paying' for Britain to stay in the EU.
Alas, Prof. Jones, that ship has fair sailed. Is it even possible to have "responsible and measured debate" when the democratic institutions have repeatedly scorned the people's stated (and voted) preference? If Parliament can continue to reject the election result, then why should the people not assemble with pitchforks, torches, and generous quantities of tar and feathers?Professor Wyn Jones said: 'It's not often that one finds oneself shaken by research findings, but in this case it's hard to not be genuinely shocked - not only by the fact that so many think that violence is a likely consequence of Brexit, but that so many on either side of the Brexit divide seem to think that such events might be "worth it" in order to secure their preferred outcome.'Given that we appear to be on the brink of another general election in which further polarisation could be a deliberate campaign strategy for some parties, these findings should give all of us pause for thought and underline the importance of responsible and measured debate.'
Of course, I speak as a filthy Colonial, whose forebears long ago decided what the proper response to taxation without representation was. Oh, and saying "But you do have representation, only not in Brexit" is weak (and since it's England, likely warm, too) beer.
Oliver Cromwell's statue stands outside the Halls of Parliament. He ran roughshod over that body, during a divided time in England's past. Many died, before sanity returned to the land. We shall see if the British people - and their elected representatives - have an appetite for a repeat.
7 comments:
It's been over 400 years; they're long overdue.
A few Labour and turncoat Tories MPs roasted alive at a stake, and/or hanging from trees would be a healthy enema to the government of Britistan, and the body politic.
Pour encourager les autres.
The echoes across the pond all the way to D.C. might even be a salutary reminder to the political sh*tweasel class about who run Bartertown.
It was that much maligned poet Kipling who best said it:-
It was not part of their blood,
It came to them very late
With long arrears to make good,
When the English began to hate.
They were not easily moved,
They were icy-willing to wait
Till every count should be proved,
Ere the English began to hate.
Their voices were even and low,
Their eyes were level and straight.
There was neither sign nor show,
When the English began to hate.
It was not preached to the crowd,
It was not taught by the State.
No man spoke it aloud,
When the English began to hate.
It was not suddenly bred,
It will not swiftly abate,
Through the chill years ahead,
When Time shall count from the date
That the English began to hate.
It is fitting that you showed Cromwell's statue outside the Houses of Parliament. His speech to the Long Parliament resonates today.
It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.
Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter’d your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?
Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defil’d this sacred place, and turn’d the Lord’s temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress’d, are yourselves gone! So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors.
In the name of God, go!”
Will the battles be fought with butter knives? For everything else has been confiscated (or worse, turned over voluntarily).
Antibubba, then we'll see just how many weapons were actually turned in
Like here, it is civil war or partition. England should cut loose Scotland, N. Ireland for sure and maybe Wales. London would be the biggest remaining problem.
It's the provinces as'll do the cutting off.
Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Cornwall will leave England to the English, and then Londinistan will be all their own problem.
If the countryside steps up, they might get their capitol back, but it will look like Antietam if they do it right.
I doubt they have enough backbone there to get it done right; they'll just muck it up.
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